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Sunday, 24 January 2016

The Cetshwayo Challenge

Perhaps not unsurprising to some my ‘Challenge’ has been somewhat derailed by the wonderfully, ambiguously titled bonus rounds. With two already completed, I have been totally absorbed in preparing miniatures and ideas for the remaining four, but I mustn’t forget that I have a couple of side duels that I need to attend to.

The first, the 'Cetshwayo Challenge’, is my ongoing battle with Martin Cooke, of ‘28mm Heroes’ fame to paint as many Zulus as possible during the course of the challenge. I say ongoing, but Martin has actually finished his already! 151 Zulu Warriors to good, you would think that this is an unassailable lead, but thanks to Martin’s incredible generosity and sportsmanship we have agreed a handicap system that sees every one of my efforts equal to four of his. This means that my total is a more manageable 38, surely I can do this? Well so far the omens are not good!

Preparation started well with the construction of these Warlord Games/Empress Miniatures Unmarried Zulu Warriors box, consisting of 32 self assembly hard plastic miniatures. The purists will undoubtedly bemoan the historical inaccuracy of these chaps wearing their full ceremonial regalia in the heat of battle, but I have to confess that I rather like them. I have managed to submit eight of these noble warriors to the Challenge proper, painting them with black shields and a white spot in the lower half to represent the Indluyengwe (Leopard’s Den) Regiment that fought at Rorke’s Drift. That unfortunately is as far as I have got! I still have time* in which to chip away at Martin’s tally, but I think that I had better add an Induna to my painting queue, the agreed forfeit to be presented to the winner on completion of the challenge.

*not to mention a half term break

If you get a chance have a look at what Martin achieved in only eleven days of painting – inspiration stuff!

They look great! I have those very figures. Okay, it was a pain assembling them and having to pry arms, heads and weapons from my glue-stuck fingers, but they take cheap acrylic craft paint just fine and look good en masse.